An acceptable use policy
(AUP) is a written agreement
which defines the intended use of a school district network; and “should define publicly
what is deemed acceptable and unacceptable behavior from users of hardware and
information systems such as the Internet and any applicable networks” (1-to-1
Essentials, 2015). An AUP routinely
includes rules and restrictions for logins, use of email, Internet
use and illegal activities.
In
response to concerns about children’s access to obscene and harmful Internet
content, Congress enacted the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) in
2000. They provided updates to those
rules in 2011. The CIPA and Protecting
Children in the 21st Century Act amendment enforces requirements for
schools that receive discounts for Internet access to institute Internet Safety
policies (Federal Communication Commission, 2014).
The goal of an AUP is to
prohibit certain behaviors such as:
plagiarism, inappropriate language, copyright infringement, online bullying,
questionable influences, and pornography. However, , they can also define positive goals for
incorporating technology into the school day (1-to1 Essentials, 2015).
In my experience as an elementary educational technologist, I found that educators must find a balance between all of the pros and cons that come with connecting classrooms to the Internet. I sometimes debated with administrators when they wanted to block certain websites (like YouTube) from teacher use because they were viewed as risky. My argument to give them access was that our students have access to the internet through smartphones, iPads, and computers at home, or at a friend’s home. Why not take the opportunity to teach them how to use the Internet safely and appropriately? In other words, if they accidently happen upon inappropriate content, at least that becomes a teachable moment at school rather than on their own.
In my experience as an elementary educational technologist, I found that educators must find a balance between all of the pros and cons that come with connecting classrooms to the Internet. I sometimes debated with administrators when they wanted to block certain websites (like YouTube) from teacher use because they were viewed as risky. My argument to give them access was that our students have access to the internet through smartphones, iPads, and computers at home, or at a friend’s home. Why not take the opportunity to teach them how to use the Internet safely and appropriately? In other words, if they accidently happen upon inappropriate content, at least that becomes a teachable moment at school rather than on their own.
AUPs for school districts generally include rules regarding:
§ Responsible behavior at
all times
§ Compliance with all
applicable laws, regulations, and school policies
§ Truthfulness and honesty
in network logins (not letting others log in to their account)
§ Respect for the rights and
intellectual property rights of others
§ Email use
§ Social media
§ Handheld devices in the
classroom
§ Downloading and or
streaming content
§ Printing
Links to AUPs:
:
BCHS Board Policy #3612 file:///C:/Users/Administrator/Downloads/3000_Series_Board_Policies.pdf
Dillon School District
http://www.dillonschools.org/ourpages/
http://www.dillonschools.org/ourpages/
Fremont County School Dist #1
http://www.landerschools.org/wp-content/DistrictPolicies/Policy_IIBF-E.pdf
http://www.landerschools.org/wp-content/DistrictPolicies/Policy_IIBF-E.pdf
University of Montana Western Policy #500.1
http://www.umwestern.edu/policy-manual/500-information-technology/1937-500-1-acceptable-use.html
http://www.umwestern.edu/policy-manual/500-information-technology/1937-500-1-acceptable-use.html
References
1-to-1
Essentials - Acceptable Use Policies. (2015, January 1). Retrieved February 1,
2015, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/1to1/aups
Children's Internet Protection Act
Guide. (2014, December 31). Retrieved February 1, 2015, from
http://www.fcc.gov/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act
Education World (2015). Developing an Acceptable Use Policy. Retrieved February 1, 2015, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml
I agree with your approach. The point of an Acceptable Use Policy is to encourage positive use of technology. You have to define positive by also defining negative. If a student isn't able to understand what negative use of technology is, we cannot expect them to use technology in a positive and beneficial way.
ReplyDeleteYouTube is a great example. It hosts plenty of videos that are inappropriate not only at school, but inappropriate in general. It is, though, also an incredible resource. You can learn almost anything with YouTube. It seems like the wrong approach to ban a child from reading because they might read something inappropriate. I think this applies to YouTube; don't ban such a great resource just because it may have something on it that is not appropriate or positive. Teach children how to use technology positively.
It is absolutely a great opportunity for a teaching moment. A student can gain a greater understanding of how to positively use technology to learn if they understand how negative it can be at times.